Morzine doesn’t look like the resorts thrown up in the 1970s. It’s first of all a real mountain village, with its slate-roofed chalets, its quarrying history and its square-towered church. But this village is also one of the gateways to the Portes du Soleil, one of Europe’s largest linked ski areas, straddling France and Switzerland. That blend of Savoyard character and a giant playground is what makes Morzine singular.
About 1 hr 15 from Geneva, at the foot of the Dranse valley, Morzine lives in summer as much as in winter. In winter, it’s skiing on a vast area linked to Avoriaz and Switzerland. In summer, it’s one of the world’s great mountain-biking capitals, alongside a hiking playground and one of the finest mountain lakes in the Chablais.
Here is how to enjoy it, season by season.
In brief
- Altitude: 1,000 m in the village, up to over 2,400 m on the area.
- Area: Portes du Soleil, around 600 km of linked pistes across 12 French and Swiss resorts.
- Access: ≈ 1 hr 15 from Geneva airport; Cluses or Thonon stations, then bus or shuttle.
- Best season: December–April for skiing, June–September for biking, hiking and the lake.
- Don’t miss: the slate-roofed village, Lake Montriond, a day’s biking in the bike park, the panorama from Avoriaz.
The village
Morzine has kept what many resorts lack: a soul. The centre is walkable, between traditional chalets, shops and terraces along the Dranse. Slate, long quarried in the valley, still clads the roofs and tells the town’s working past. It’s a friendly family resort, lively without being brash, that has stayed a year-round place to live.
The village is also a pivot point. From Morzine, you reach Avoriaz by gondola, and the whole Portes du Soleil area opens up, all the way to the Swiss villages of the Val d’Illiez. You can ski or ride for days without covering the same ground twice.
Skiing
Morzine gives access to the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest linked areas in the world: around 600 km of pistes across twelve French and Swiss resorts. On the Morzine side, skiing spreads over the Pléney and Nyon, linked together, and Super-Morzine, which heads towards Avoriaz. From there, the whole cross-border area is reachable, all the way to the famous Swiss wall at Châtel.
The village’s moderate altitude calls for good snow cover, secured by snowmaking on the key sectors, and quick access to the altitude of Avoriaz (1,800 m) guarantees snow in the heart of the season. It’s a varied area, perfect for families and skiers of every level. It’s all detailed on the skiing in Morzine page.
What to do in Morzine
Winter
- Skiing and snowboarding: the great Portes du Soleil area, linked to Avoriaz and Switzerland.
- Snowshoeing, dog-sledding, ice rink: the valley’s gentle activities, to vary the fun.
- Cross-country skiing: tracked loops towards the valley floors and Montriond.
Summer
- Mountain biking: Morzine is one of the world’s mountain-biking capitals, with a bike park and the huge Portes du Soleil network.
- Lake Montriond: swimming, paddleboarding and a walk around the lake a stone’s throw from the village.
- Hiking: trails for everyone, from the banks of the Dranse to the summits of the Chamossière and Nyon.
- Paragliding, canyoning, treetop trails: the classics of the summer mountain, led by local professionals.
The signature experiences
Each major experience has its own page, with practical info:
- Skiing: the Portes du Soleil, the sectors and the passes.
- Mountain biking: bike park, enduro and downhill on Europe’s largest network.
- Lake Montriond: swimming and lakeside walks.
- Hiking: the finest trails around the village.
Where to stay
Morzine has lodging for every budget, from traditional chalets to family hotels and many rentals. The village centre puts everything on foot, shuttles included; the hamlets on the heights offer quiet and views. The resort is very popular in winter and during the big summer biking events: book early. We compare available stays at the best rates below.
Where to eat
Morzine’s table is Savoyard above all: fondue, tartiflette, reblochon and tomme, croziflette, in the village restaurants and in the mountain farms reached by ski or on foot. The valley also has more contemporary addresses, and the terraces along the Dranse fill up in fine weather.
Getting there
- By plane + car/shuttle: Geneva airport ≈ 1 hr 15, the most convenient. Many shuttles in season.
- By train + bus: Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains stations, then bus or transfer to Morzine.
- By car: motorway to Cluses or Thonon, then the climb up the Morzine valley.
When to come
- December–April: ski season. Best snow in January–February, festive atmosphere in December. School holidays are very busy.
- June–September: the great summer season. Biking, hiking, lake swimming, terraces. The Pass’Portes du Soleil, in June, is one of Europe’s biggest mountain-biking events.
- May and October: the quiet shoulder season, but many lifts and shops close.
Good to know
Morzine or Avoriaz? Two faces of one area. Morzine is a living village at the foot of the valley, more accessible and lively; Avoriaz is a car-free altitude resort, ski-in/ski-out. You can stay at one and enjoy the other, linked by gondola.
Do you need a car? Useful to get there and range out, but on site free shuttles serve the lifts. The centre is walkable.
Morzine without skiing? Yes, especially in summer, which is a full season in its own right: biking, the lake, hiking, outdoor activities. Winter also offers snowshoeing, dog-sledding and walks.
How long to stay? A long weekend to discover; a week to make the most of the big area, summer and winter.
Nearby
Morzine is at the heart of the Chablais and the Portes du Soleil. Avoriaz is linked by gondola; Montriond and its lake are a stone’s throw away; Les Gets, the other big biking resort, shares the same area. Lower down, Thonon-les-Bains and Lake Geneva are about forty minutes away.